Performing Arts

DRAMA MATTERS

Great Expectations – Our New Favourite Dickens’ Classic

For those lucky enough to see “Great Expectations”, like many of us you may still have some of Dickens’ lines playing over in your minds. 

“Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon

the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.” 

“Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule.” 

“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand

what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken,

but - I hope - into a better shape.” 

When a story is told well, it stays with one for life. We hope the young artists of Ms Lindley’s cast all know that they have made our lives better for transforming this novel into an adventurous stage show that tugged at our heart-strings. We commend the many staff members, students, string players and parents who worked hard over five months or took on extra jobs to help create this terrific production.

To Ms Lindley – thank you for your vision and wisdom. Already in the playground boys have been asking, “When can we audition for the next Theatre production?”

Here is a link for students and parents to see all of the photos from Great Expectations.

http://www.whitedogphotography.sydney

PASSWORD:   GREATWD

Strings Create the Perfect Entry to “Great Expectations”

Our hearty thanks to Mrs Stella Talati and the St Pius College String players who provided incidental music in the courtyard of the Sarto before each of our “Great Expectations” performances.  Your delightful chamber music set the scene for an elegant night in Britain.

Would You Like Some Tea with that?

What do you say when you ask PAPA mums to provide light supper and they turn around and cater High Tea for one hundred plus people over three nights?!! We could not have a better community of parents and friends working to support our students. Thank you Odette Shahady, Carmel Daniels, Kate Vaccher, Julia Squires, Ute Appenzeller and all who helped make our English Tea House and front of house so charming and lovely.

Great Expectations Review - Tim McLachlan, Year 12

Ms Lindley’s work on SPX’s 2019 production of Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” truly was ‘great’. The Pius-Mercy collaboration masterfully reworked the classic piece of literature into an engaging and emotional production that was broadcast through the harmonious relationships between actors onstage. The titular character of Pip was portrayed convincingly by Alec Ramsbottom and Ben Cullen respectively, providing a corresponding level of sophistication and roughness that enhanced the level of characterisation for the audience. Ms Lindley used lighting and her trusty fog machine to create foreboding, sinister atmospheres, as well as incorporating rhythmic blue reflections off the smoke and flashing lights to construct an enchanting water scene. The dynamic use of accents were integrated into character dialogue to produce a sense of authenticity, transporting the audience from the production in Chatswood to the bustling streets of 19th century London and the wind-driven marshes of South-East England. The chorus of the performance were the glue that held the production together, their embodiment of Pip’s internal thoughts helped project the key messages of the play to the audience and provide crucial insight into Pip’s perspectives in each scene…  

Tim's full review can be found below, along with a review by Ky Simpson, also of Year 12.

Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Teacher/Director

MUSIC MATTERS

“Twilight Around the World” - Thursday 9 May 9 at 6.00pm

Christian Brothers’ Centre:  1 Dreadnought Road, Oxford Falls

We are so excited to be hosting our first Twilight Concert for 2019 at the Christian Brothers’ Centre, 1 Dreadnought Road, Oxford Falls.  This is a compulsory event for all Performing Arts students.

Please note that buses will run secondary students from Chatswood to CBC Oxford Falls after school on Thursday 9 May. PAPA parents will provide an early dinner for all Performing Arts students. Junior school boys need to wear full winter uniform to school and then change at Oxford Falls into Sports gear for their daytime activities. All boys need to remember to pack their instruments, music, costumes (if required) and water bottles.

With our multi-cultural, “Around the World” theme and international menu, the evening will be a fantastic community celebration.

Internationally Acclaimed Violinist, Pan Yin Lin to Guest Perform at Our “Twilight Around the World” Concert on Thursday 9 May

International concert violinist Pan Yin Lin and his wife, retired pianist Lei Jin Ron, have accepted our invitation to perform at our upcoming Twilight Concert.

Born in Shanghai, Pan started to play the violin at the age of 10. By the time he graduated from a middle school attached to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the conservatory had stopped recruiting, as the professors were sent to do farming work in the countryside for the purpose of re-education through hard labour. Luckily for Pan, his talent was recognised and he joined the Shanghai Symphony right after middle school. He became the youngest principal soloist in the orchestra's history. 

In the 1990s Pan performed and led several orchestras in Australia and Japan before returning to the Shanghai Symphony in 2003. He was the first violinist of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for several years. After leaving the Symphony in 2012 Pan said he felt very grateful for his professional career success. We look forward to hearing Pan perform on his favourite violin made in 1710.

HSC Music 2 Extension Student, Oliver Osborne Hits the High Notes

Oliver Osborne of Year 12 is preparing six performance works for his Higher School Certificate Music 2 and Music Extension courses.  Oliver’s work, “Guataca City” is an exciting Cuban piece arranged for piano, bass, guitar, drum kit, congas, saxophone and trumpet. Oliver had his first rehearsal with the band last Friday and survived this challenge with a beaming smile. The band rehearsed for over two hours working out cuts, solos and how to play as a cohesive ensemble.  We hope Oliver might perform for you at the upcoming Twilight Evening.

Cantor, Oliver Lenehan Leads our Rehearsals of Gregorian Chant

With our two Easter Liturgies this Thursday, the SPX College Choir has been studiously learning to sing the beautiful Easter Sequence, “Victimae Paschali Laudes”. After consulting our Latin experts, Brother Carl and Mr Jim Olson, Oliver Lenehan has translated the neumes into modern notation and led rehearsals ensuring all singers are able to enunciate the Latin correctly.  We can’t wait to set this plainchant against the dramatisation provided by Mercy Catholic College and St Pius X College students. Our thanks to Mr Adrian Brannan and Mr Nathan Mulheron for leading this collaborative approach to our College’s faith education.

Easter Liturgies – A Time of Remembrance

In our efforts to keep the story of Easter, Palm Sunday, ANZAC Day and the recent tragedies of New Zealand in our hearts and prayers, Mr Gavin El Nabouch of West Pymble Fruit Shop has generously donated 700 rosemary sprigs and flowers to our liturgical Easter services.  Once again, the goodness and generosity of others bring hope and renewed aesthetic energy to our souls.

Not Every Musician is an Extrovert - Digital Music Ensembles Celebrate Creativity

Mr Cummins is a highly intelligent teacher who is sharing his love of Digital Music to like-minded creative computer-savvy whizz kids. Here we can see our Junior Digital Ensemble having way too much fun inventing their own compositions with Logic and Garage Band software.

Years 9-11 Performance Evening

We had a record 23 Elective Music students across Years 9-11 performing solos at our Elective Performance Evening on Tuesday 9 April. From clarinet trios, violin solos, extraordinary vocal numbers, brass arias, guitar studies and piano recitals, through to over-driving electric guitar works, the evening was a celebration of artistic endeavour.

"Thanks so much for the concert tonight. Oliver and I had a good chat about it all on the way home. It was a great end to a manic day at work! We both were really impressed... there is some serious musical talent at St Pius! " – Anne Lenehan

"Thank you for a wonderful evening.  The talent of all the boys was incredible to experience - brought me to tears!"  – Stefanie O’Brien

"A big thanks for the performances this evening, the standard was great. When you get time can you please share the videos that you made of our son’s performances?  We want to watch the concert again!"  - Frank Vaccher

Every Child is an Artist… Notes from the Junior Choir

The SPX Junior Choir has been working creatively on a new initiative for their “Around the World Concert” on Thursday 9 May. Without giving too much away:  “Right click twice, now left click. Step behind, step clap... Olé!”

Senior Drama students, Douglas Daniels and Alex Ramsbottom, joined rehearsals last Thursday to coach the Junior Choir in the art of stage-craft and acting. 

Junior Choir rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7.30am and are open to any student in Years 5 and 6 who is keen to increase their intelligence and self-confidence.

What Do Tristan and Evan Have in Common? The Hornsby Scout Show!

Tristan and Evan would like to invite everyone to the Hornsby Scout Show in which they are performing. This fantastic variety performance has 130 scouts and girl guides in the cast and there are eight shows.  More information is on the website:  Gangshow.com  When you buy tickets, please attribute them to Tristan (Year 9) or Evan (Year 10). 

Joseph Zarb Guitar Workshop & Concert

Last Monday we were blessed to have professional Spanish and World Music guitarist, Joseph Zarb, visit St Pius X College. Joseph ran a Music Workshop for our Stage 4 students and spoilt our College community with an outdoor lunchtime concert.

Joseph plays with the Sydney based “Marsala” Ensemble promoting Music Without Borders, cultural collaboration and care of refugees. His visit tied in perfectly with our Year 7 and 8 Guitar Program, our commitment to Project Compassion and our upcoming Twilight Concert, celebrating Music and Theat